i hope the functionality of the friends list is improved, right now it doesn't really do anything.

Adding friends should be easier, with "add Friend" button on user profile pages. In our user profiles "which should be merged with the ucp" managing should be easier and more eye appealing. Friend request should be sent to the friend you are trying to add. The user should be able to display there friends on there profile page. etc etc etc

This is a feature that encourages community interaction, and helps build a strong member base. With the friends list we can then get notifications of when our friends are online, post replys to threads, accept friend requests, update user status and or signature ect ect